Modular floating tile, coping and skirting systems for decks and stairs

Abstract

Coping and skirting systems for structural bases are described herein. The coping and skirting systems include at least one coping tile and a support structure configured to be mounted on a front surface of the structural base and to support the at least one coping tile on the structural base. The support structure is also configured to be mounted on the structural base at a selectable position that provides for a top surface of the coping tile to be level with a top surface of a field tile on the structural base.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for mounting a coping tile on a structural base, the system including:
 a coping bracket configured to be mounted on a top surface of the structural base, the coping bracket having:
 a coping support member; 
 a coping support lip extending upwardly and outwardly from a first position on the front surface of the coping support member in a direction away from a front surface of the structural base, the coping support lip being configured to support the coping tile in front of the front surface of the structural base; and 
 an alignment tab extending rearwardly from a second position on the rear surface of the coping support member over the top surface of the structural base to receive a fastener to mount the coping bracket on the structural base when the coping support member is spaced apart from the front surface of the structural base, the alignment tab providing for a top surface of the coping tile supported on the coping support lip to be level with or below a top surface of a field tile positioned on a top surface of the alignment tab, the first position being below the second position. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coping support lip is configured to rest within a groove in a rear surface of the coping tile to support the coping tile on the structural base. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the direction that the coping support lip extends away from the front surface of the structural base is upward and outward from the front surface of the structural base. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment tab has a first end that meets the rear surface of the coping support member and a second end that is spaced apart from the first end in a direction that is orthogonal to an axis of the coping support member. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 4 , wherein the alignment tab is planar to be positioned between a bottom surface of the field tile and the top surface of the structural base. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive to retain the coping tile on the coping bracket. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1  further comprising a skirting bracket, the skirting bracket being a separate component from the coping bracket. 
     
     
       8. A system for mounting a coping tile on a structural base, the system including:
 a coping bracket configured to be mounted on a top surface of the structural base, the coping bracket having:
 a coping support member; 
 a coping support lip extending from a front surface of the coping support member in a direction away from a front surface of the structural base, the coping support lip being configured to support the coping tile in front of the front surface of the structural base; and 
 an alignment tab extending from the coping support member over the top surface of the structural base to receive a fastener to mount the coping bracket on the structural base when the coping support member is spaced apart from the front surface of the structural base, the alignment tab providing for a top surface of the coping tile supported on the coping support lip to be level with or below a top surface of a field tile positioned on a top surface of the alignment tab; and 
 
 a skirting bracket, the skirting bracket being a separate component from the coping bracket; and 
 a skirting tile, wherein the skirting bracket is configured to support the skirting tile on the structural base. 
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the skirting bracket includes a skirting support lip configured to rest within a groove in a rear surface of the skirting tile to support the skirting tile on the structural base. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the skirting support lip extends upwardly and outwardly in a direction away from the front surface of the structural base. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the skirting support lip is positioned below the coping support lip. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 7 , wherein a front face of the coping bracket is laterally spaced apart from a front face of the skirting bracket. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the coping support lip is vertically spaced above the skirting support lip. 
     
     
       14. A method of installing a coping system on a structural base, the method comprising:
 mounting a coping bracket on a top surface of the structural base, the coping bracket having:
 a coping support member; 
 a coping support lip extending from a front surface of the coping support member in a direction away from a front surface of the structural base, the coping support lip being configured to support a coping tile in front of the front surface of the structural base; and 
 an alignment tab extending from the coping support member over the top surface of the structural base to receive a fastener to mount the coping bracket on the structural base when the coping support member is spaced apart from the front surface of the structural base, the alignment tab providing for a top surface of the coping tile supported on the coping support lip to be level with or below a top surface of a field tile positioned on a top surface of the alignment tab; 
 
 installing the coping tile on the coping bracket; and 
 mounting a skirting bracket on the structural base and installing a skirting tile on the skirting bracket. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein mounting the coping bracket on the structural base includes:
 marking an indicator line on the top surface of the structural base; 
 aligning the alignment tab of the coping bracket with the indicator line; and 
 mounting the coping bracket to the structural base when the alignment tab of the coping bracket is aligned with the indicator line and the coping support member is spaced apart from the front surface of the structural base. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14 , wherein installing the coping tile on the coping bracket includes inserting the coping support lip of the coping bracket into a groove extending inwardly from a rear surface of the coping tile. 
     
     
       17. A system for mounting a coping tile on a structural base, the system including:
 a coping bracket configured to be mounted on a top surface of the structural base, the coping bracket having:
 a coping support member; 
 a coping support lip extending from a front surface of the coping support member in a direction away from a front surface of the structural base, the coping support lip being configured to support the coping tile in front of the front surface of the structural base; and 
 an alignment tab extending from the coping support member over the top surface of the structural base from a top edge of the coping support member to receive a fastener to mount the coping bracket on the structural base when the coping support member is spaced apart from the front surface of the structural base, the alignment tab providing for a top surface of the coping tile supported on the coping support lip to be level with or below a top surface of a field tile positioned on a top surface of the alignment tab. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the alignment tab has a first end that meets the rear surface of the coping support member and a second end that is spaced apart from the first end in a direction that is orthogonal to an axis of the coping support member. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the alignment tab is planar to be positioned between a bottom surface of the field tile and the top surface of the structural base.